A very sunny Christmas

After moving back to Germany, I managed all but one winter and one Christmas at home before I realized I am just not made for the cold. I couldn’t foresee the spring-like temperatures this year and decided that another festive season in the cold was not an option. I wanted sun! However, the idea of sitting in some island paradise – as appealing as that usually sounds – wasn’t right for Christmas. In fact, I think I would hate it. I understand why people who are on the road don’t waste money on going home for a weekend, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.Lucky for me that isn’t a dilemma as a big part of my family lives in Cape Town so it was an easy decision: same procedure as every year – Christmas in South Africa.Mind you, even after many years it still feels a bit weird to me this whole sunshine & candles business and I wish that mince pies were actual pies filled with minced meat.Nevertheless, I love the festive season here and one of the reasons is probably my many nieces and nephews, Christmas time with children is the best! Growing up in a small family I always loved the idea of a Kevin Home Alone version – a big chaotic house full of people, kids, and animals. Luckily this is exactly what my family here is all about. Unfortunately, we also got a part of the movie we didn’t bargain for and my cousin awoke Christmas day to find two of her tires stolen. In a country where this is a daily reality for many, it still felt especially horrible to experience it on Christmas!Still last week was a wonderful blur of sunshine, children, wine, Christmas preparations, kittens, and Bullterrier cuddles. How I got any work done in that lovely chaos I do not know, but I somehow managed… a little. Now I could tell you the Bullterrier ate my homework all those blog posts which he has actually done with one of the kids’ homework before, but this time, he only ate my new Havaianas. No, I actually just decided to put the laptop away and join the wonderful chaos.While drinking champagne and decorating a Christmas tree may seem frivolous to some to me it meant the world to me right now. It also reminded me of the things that are truly important in life: family, giving, being still, enjoying the moment (something I have been horrible at!!), love, breathing and, maybe most importantly, laughter. I haven’t been very good at laughing either lately and I am not sure why. So it is has been really good to just be silly, giggle, and laugh till my stomach hurt. Thank you Santa Cape Town, for giving me sunshine inside and out this year!

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